Study Tips: Time Management

The following information may help you to manage your time better. This information was derived from the University of Texas-Austin, Learning Skills Center Study Strategies classes via the Internet (http://www.utexas.edu):

Facts

There are 168 hours in a week

• 56 hours of sleep (8 hours are usually adequate; do you get enough sleep?)
• 21 hours of eating (Eat, and relax, and socialize!)
• 40 hours of work (if you're lucky!)

--That only leaves 51 hours in which to shower, commute, pay the bills, or maybe even study! That's only 7 hours and a few minutes to plan, and that doesn't include recreation and excercise.

Consider Making A Schedule

It can work like a charm in cutting down on tensions, worries, and daydreams. Far from making a robot of you, a time schedule frees you from making top-level decisions constantly thus allowing you to make the best use of your time.

Start By Making A Record Of Your Fixed Activities

Examples would include classes, meals, meetings, etc. Each week add information revolving around class assignments; note due dates and estimate study time required.

Remember These Principles Of Time Use when deciding how to spend your time:

• Many effective schedulers habitually plan their day at a regular time--5 to 10 minutes in the morning or before going to bed.
• Allow larger blocks of time for learning new material, grasping concepts, drafting a theme, etc. Divide these larger blocks of time into definite subparts the length of your concentration span (20 minutes? 30? 10?)
• As you begin work on each subpart, jot down the time you expect to finish; when you're through, reward yourself with a brief break: move around, talk to a friend, drink water, eat a snack...whatever is good for you.
• Use short periods of time (15 to 45 minutes) to review. It's especially wise to spend a few minutes reviewing immediately BEFORE a class involving discussion or recitation. Immediately AFTER a lecture class spend a few minutes reviewing your notes.
• Schedule harder study tasks when you are most alert and can concentrate best.
• Do something daily -- don't let it all pile up!
• Plan to really learn the first time; the rest of your study time should be spent reviewing through recitation, discussion, making up and answering possible test questions, etc.

Don't try to allocate ALL your time; know what needs to be done and how long it will take you. It's HOW you use your time that counts.